Filing appliance.



H. 1. HICK FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, IBM.

Patented July 11, 1916,

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FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED was. 1914.

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FILING APPUANCE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-5. l9|4 Patented July 11, 1916.

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Iwvezmfoz. Harry (I11 025 UNITED STATES HARRY J. HICK, OF ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE MOCASKEY REGISTER COM- PANY, (INCORPORATED IN 1914,) OF ALLIANCE, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FILING APPLIANCE.

Application filed August 5, 1914.

citizen of the United. States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filing Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a filing appliance for sales bills and other similar papers, in which a plurality of bill holders are operatively mounted in a fire-proof case comprising a rectangular base section and a similar cover section adapted to be swung on the base section to incase the bill holders when r closed and to form a back for the same when open.

A filing appliance of this general type has been illustrated, described and claimed in a former application filed July 24, 1914, Serial No. 852,835; and a modified form of the case and guiding hinge connections shown therein have been illustrated, described and claimed in a subsequent application filed June 27, 1914, Serial No. 853,254.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved means for supporting and guiding the free ends of the holders upward and forward from within the base section over the forward rim thereof; for counterbalancing the cover section upon the base section of the case; and for controlling and guiding the movements of the upper-rear bill holder of the series during the operation of the correlated holders. These objects are attained by providing tilting slide-ways for the lower forward bill holder or its carrying frame; by providing a jointed and slotted link connection between the cover section and the lower bearing head of the counterbalance springs; and by providing upright swinging guide bars for the upperrear bill holder of the series.

A preferred embodiment of the several features of the invention, thus briefly out ,lined, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in wh1ch Figure 1 is a side elevation section of the case, showing the cover section closed downward upon the base section thereof, with the bill holders and all operating parts inclosed therein; Fig. 2, a similar section of the case showing the cover section swung part way upward upon the rear end of the base section with the bill holders carried part Way upward and forward into operative position;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1916.

Serial No. 855,232.

Fig. 3, a similar section of the case showing the cover section swung fully upon the rear end of the base section, and the bill holders carried upward and forward into reclined operatlve position; Fig. 4:, a similar section of the case, showing the cover section swung fully upward upon the rear end of the base section, and all the bill holders rotated into upright position within and in front of the cover section of the case; Fig. 5, a fragmentary front elevation showing the arrange ment of the upper rear bill holder and the swinging guide bars, as in Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a fragmentary end view of the guide plates; Fig. 7 a detached perspective view of one of the slide ways or tracks; Fig. 8, a detached inner side perspective view of the counterbalance springs and the links connected therewith; and Fig. 9, a detached perspective rear view of one pair of guide plates.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The case is composed of the substantial rectangular bottom or base section 1 and the top or cover section 2, which are operatively connected together by means of the guiding hinge brackets 3, one bracket being located on each side of the rear end portion of the base section; by means of which the cover section can be swung and shifted upon the base section to alineeither at the top or rear end of the cover section with the rear end of the base section.

The series of bill holders 4 and 4 are hinged together at the lower rear ends, and the pivots 5 between two adjoining intermediate holders 4* and 4 are mounted in the bearings 6 formed or secured on the protruding end of the bearing plate 7 which is secured to the rear end of the cover section of the case; so that the holders above thesebearings may be referred to as the upper division of. the series, and the holders below'these lbearings maybe referred to as the lower secured to the side walls of the base section slightly below and adjacent to the forward walls thereof; the longer rear ends of which tracks normally incline downward to a bearing on the bottom of the base section, and the shorter forward ends normally incline upward. over the forward rim of the base section, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The forward end of the frame 9 normally rests on the lower end of the track 10 when the cover section is closed downward upon the base section and the frame and superposed holders are carried downward and rearward within the closed case, as shown in Fig. 1. hen, however, the cover section is rotated upward upon the rear end of the base section, the frame 9 and superposed holders are carried upward and forward, the forward end of the frame sliding upward upon the tracks 10. The tracks 10 remain in normal inclined position until the forward end of the frame reaches a point opposite the pivotal bearing 12 thereof, as shown in Fig. 2; after which a further forward movement of the frame serves to tilt the tracks so that the rear ends thereof swing upward against the bottom of the frame, thereby providing a full length sliding support therefor, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this relation of the parts the forward protruding ends of the tracks extend over the forward rim of the base section, and may rest upon the same when all the bill holders are in upright position, as shown in Fig. 4.

The counterbalance spring frame includes the bearing bracket 13, having formed thereon the upwardly extending spring case 13*, upon which bracket and within the lower end of the case normally rests the bearing head 14 having the outer and inner guide rods 15 and 16 secured thereon, which rods extend upward within the case to the upper end thereof. WVithin the upper end of the spring case is located the main sliding head 17 having apertures 18 therein for each of the guide rods 15 and 16, and the minor sliding head 19 having apertures 19 therein for the inner guide rods 16.

The outer and inner coiled compression springs 20 and 21 are located around the outer and inner guide rods 15 and 16, the outer springs extending between the bearing head 14 and the main sliding head 17, and the inner springs extending between the bearing head 14 and the minor sliding head 19.

The lower end of the bearing bracket-13 is pivoted at 22 to the forwardly extending end of the L-shaped pendent link 23, which has its upper end pivoted by the post 24 to the ad acent side wall of the base section of the case; the stem portion of which pendent link has the bearing 23 formed on its for- Ward side in the path of the bearing bracket, to serve as an abutment or stop for the rear pivoted in the slotted bearing 25 to the lower end of the swinging link 26, which link has its upper end pivoted at 27 to the inner side of the minor sliding head 19. The outer side of the main sliding head 17 is pivoted to the post 28 secured to the side wall of the cover section of the case, which post extends through the longitudinal slot 29 in the upper end of the spring case and forms a support -for the case and for the bearing bracket on its lower end when the cover section is swung upward upon the base section of the case, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. And the inner side of the bearing head 14 is pivoted at 30 to the lower end of the jointed link 31, the upper end of which link is pivoted by the slotted bearing 32 on the pivot post 33 secured to the side Wall of the case cover intermediate the pivot post 28 and the rear end of the cover; the head of which pivot 30 operates in the longitudinal slot 34 provided in the lower end of the spring case, and the jointed link 31 extends through and operates in the longitudinal slot 35 provided in the edge wall of the spring case.

The parts and the strength of the springs are so proportioned and arranged that when the cover section is swung and shifted into upright position upon the rear end of the base section of the case, with the holders carried forward into reclined operative position, as shown in Fig. 3; the upper end of the slot 29 in the spring case bears upon the pivot post 28 thereof, holding the bearing bracket 13 and pendent link 23 in forward position, as shown in the same figure. In this position of the parts the bearing head 14 is sustained by the jointed link 31 which is carried by the pivot pin 33 in the upper end of the bearing slot 32, so that the energy of the outer compression springs 15 serves to hold the case cover in upright position against any accidental tendency to swing the same downward, as by a person leaning against the back formed by the cover section when in upright position. In the same rela tion of the parts the swinging link 26 between the rear end of the frame 9 and the minor slide head 19 draws this head downward, by sliding upon the inner guide rods against the resistance of the inner compression springs 21, to a substantial distance below the main slide 17.

For closing the caseit is preferred to rotate all the bill holders of the series forward upon their hinged ends into reclined position, superposed upon the frame 9, as shown in Fig. 3; whereupon a forward swinging and rearward shifting of the cover section to close it upon the base section, carries the frame 9 and superposed holders thereon bodily downward and rearward within the two sections of the case, as shown in Fig. 1; the rear end of the sliding tracks 10 being tilted downward to and bearing upon the bottom of the base section just as soon as the forward end of the frame passes a point opposite the pivotal bearing 12 upon which the tracks are mounted. During the firstportion of this movement it is evident that while the lower pivoted ends of the bearing bracket 13 and the pendent link 23 will swing freely downward and rearward, as shown in Fig. 2, the jointed link 31 will slide the bearing head 14: upward within the spring case, as shown in the same figure, thereby sustaining the lower ends of the springs 20 and counterbalancing the case cover during the first portion of this downward movement. A further downward swinging of the case cover carries the lower end of the spring frame downward and rearward until the rear edge of the bearing bracket abuts the bearing on the forward edge of the pendent link, and when the bearing head 14, which has thus far been sustained by the jointed link 31, moves downward to the bearing bracket, it is sustained thereby during the further downward movement of the case cover; thus continuing to counterbalance the same through the energy of the counterbalance springs 20. Finally, when the main sliding head moves downward upon the guide rods far enough to impinge the minor head 19, the energy of the inner springs 21 are brought into play, and these supplement the outer springs in counterbalancing the case cover during the final portion of its movement downward and upon the base section of the case; during which final movement the joints of the links 31 and the slotted bearings in the upper end of the same links and in the lower end of the swinging link: 26, permit these links to accommodate themselves to the varying relative position of the parts, as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the operation of the parts; and the action of the springs are merely reversed during the upward swinging of the cover section of the case upon the base section thereof.

The upright guide bars 36 are preferably secured to and swing upon the arms 37, which arms are pivoted in the bearings 38 secured to the back of the cover section at the sides thereof. These guide rods are operatively engaged between the pairs of guide plates 39 and 39 secured to the upperrear side of the upper-rear bill holder P, for the purpose of maintaining and guiding said holder in upright position at all times during the operation of the holders when the cover section is swung into upright position upon the base section of the case, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The guide plates 39 and 39 are located in airs parallel with each other and may be yoked together on their inner edges, as at 40. These parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the bill holders are all rotated into upright position, as shown in Fig. l, the guide bars 36 will be located between the inner ends of the guide plates 39 and 39, as shown by broken lines in Fig. 5. When, however, one or more of the bill holders of the upper division are swung forward into reclined operative position, as shown for all excepting the rearmost bill holder 41" in, Fig; 3, the upward movement of said holder is guided and controlled by the sliding engagement of the guide bars between the guide plates so that in all positions this holder is maintained in upright position. At the same time, a lateral swinging of the guide bar is permitted by a sliding movement between the guide plates, in accordance with the distance the rearmost holder 1 is carried forward or rearward from the back formed by the top of the case cover.

I claim:

1. A filing appliance including a case having base and cover sections with hinge connections between the rear ends thereof, a series of hinged holders having their hinged ends connected with the rear end of the" cover section to be carried thereby into and out of the base section; and means for supporting and guiding the free ends of the holders upward and over the rim of the base section including tilting tracks pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the base section with their longer ends extending rearward to bear upon the bottom of the base section and their shorter ends extending forward over the forward rim thereof. r

2. A filing case including similar base and cover sections with guiding hinge connections for swinging and shifting the cover section upon the base section, a plurality of hinged holders having their hinged ends depending from a pivotal-connection with the rear end of the cover section, means for supporting and guiding the free ends of the holders upward and forward from within the base section over the forward rim thereof; and counterbalance means including a bearing head with slide rods thereon, a main head pivoted to the case cover having sliding engagement with all the rods, a minor head in the path of the main head having sliding engagement with certain rods, compression springs on the rods between the bearing head and the respective sliding heads, a bearing bracket depending from the main-head pivot for sustaining the bearing head, a pendent link having pivotal connection with the base section and the bearing bracket, a jointed link having pivotal connections with the bearing head and the cover section, and a swinging link having pivotal connections with the minor sliding head and the hinged end of the lower holder.

A filing case including similar base and cover sections with guiding hinge connections for swinging and shifting the cover section upon the base section, a plurality of hinged holders having their hinged ends depending from a pivotal connection with the rear end of the cover section, means for supporting and guiding the free ends of the holders upward and forward from within the base section over the forward rim there of; and counterbalance means including a bearing head with slide rods thereon, a main head pivoted to the case cover having sliding engagement with all the rods, a minor head in the path of the main head having sliding engagement with certain rods, compression springs on the rods between the bearing head and the respective sliding heads, a bearing bracket depending from the mainhead pivot for sustaining the bearing head, an L-shaped link having its stem end pivoted to the base section and its lower L-end pivoted to the bearing bracket with an abutment on its stein in the path of said bracket, a jointed link having pivotal connections with the bearing head and the cover section, and a swinging link having pivotal connections with the minor sliding head and the hinged end of the lower holder.

4. A filing appliance including a plurality of holders adapted to be swung from reclined to upright position and having their lower-rear ends hinged together, a pivotal support for the hinged end of the foremost holder, an upright swinging bar mountedbehind the rearmost holder, and guide plates on the rearmost holder having longitudinal and lateral sliding engagement with the swinging bar.

5. A filing appliance including a plurality of holders adapted to be swung from rcclined to upright position and having their lower-rear ends hinged together, a pivotal. support for the hinged end of the foremost holder, upright guide bars mounted on swinging arms behind the rearmost holder, and pairs of guide plates on the rearmost holder having longitudinal and lateral sliding engagement with the guide bars.

6. A filing appliance including a plurality of holders adapted to be swung from reclined to upright position and having their lower-rear ends hinged together, a pivotal support for the hinged end of the foremost holder, an upright swinging bar mounted behind the rearmost holder, and means on the rearmost holder having longitudinal and lateral sliding engagement with the swinging bar for maintaining said holder in upright position.

HARRY J. HIOK. iVitnesses:

JACOB BACHOLEN, EARL C. CoULsoi Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

